Traffic-sign.



H. C. STHOUT. TRAFFIC sum. APPLICATION FILED mm3, 1917.

29, 1918. 2 sHETs-sHEET 1'.

u Tm d Du m m D..

H. C. STROUT.

TRAFFIC SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3. I9I7.

Patented Jan.29,19 18.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Harvey C. SIrou PATENT ernten. f

HARVEY C'. STBIUT, OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 TRAFFIC SIGN &

SIGNAL COMPANY, 0F GLQUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CQRPORATION OF MASSA- CE'USETTS.

TRAFFIC-SIGN.

Patented aan. 29, i918.y

ppm-ation mea March s, 1917. rserial no. 152,217.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HARVEY C. STRoUT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gloucester, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Trailic-Signs, of which the following description, in connection with the accompany- 111g draw1ng,lis a specification, like charac-l ters on the drawing representing like parts. This invention relates to traiiic slgns such ias are used in streets for directing traiiic.

A further object is to provide. a novel trailic sign which is constructed so 'that it A takes up a relatively small space transversely of the street, but which nevertheless has the tratlic directions exhibited `in such a way that they can be readily read.

A further object of the invention is to construct the traliic-directing panels which have thereon the directions regulating traiic so that` said'panels can be changed to give different directions, such, for instance, as

Stop,, (o, Go to the right, etc.

A further object is to provide an improved tratlic sign which is so constructed that -when the panels are set to give some general direction, such, for instance, as Go to the right, they may belocked in this position, thus making it possible to leave the device at intersecting streets as a silent policeman. s

Other objects of the invention are to provide zin-improved tratic sign of this type, all as will 'be more fully hereinafter set forth. i

In order to give an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated inv the drawings, a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described, after which the novel features will be 'pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawin s, Figure 1 1is atview showing my improve trathc signal;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through the upper part of the signal;

Fig. 4 shows the face of one of the panels 8; 4

Fig. 5 is a top plan View;

Fig. 6 is a, section on the 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 shows the reverse side of the panels 25 or 26;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8, Fig. 1.

1 indicates the base on which my improved sign is supported. This base is provided with a head 2 having radially-extending-panel-receiving grooves 3 in which the ends of vertically-arranged radially-extendline 6 6, Figs.

ing traflic-directin'g panels 4 are received.'

These panels are clamped to the head 2 by means of an upper head 5 which also has in f its under face grooves to receive the ends of the panels 4. The two heads 5 and 2 are clamped onto the ends of the panels 4 so as f to firmly hold the panels in position, and

for this purpose I have provided a connecting member 6 which is situated axially of theheads and which is "screw-threaded into the head 2,-said connecting member extending through an opening in the head 5. A

vclamping nut 7 is screw-threaded to the upper end of the connecting member 6 and thus serves to firmly clamp the heads against the panels. The panels 4 are each relatively narrow, that is, they each have a. relatively long vertical dimension and a relatively short transverse dimension and they-are so arranged that their inner edges are spaced from the axial line, thus leaving a suiicient space between said inner ed es-to receive the connecting member 6. T is construction provides a trailic-directing panel 4 on which any desired legend or traiiic direction can be printed in letters large enough to be readily read at a distance, especially if the letters of the words are placed one above the other, as shown in the drawings. A traflic sign having this construction takes up very little room transversely of the street so that it is admirably adapted for use on relatively narrow streets Where it is necessary to obstruct the tratlic as little as possible.

The panels 4 which are fixed in position will preferably have printed thereon some general directlon which is applicable t0 all conditions of trailic, such, for instance, as Go to the right.

Situated above the panels 4 are other movably-mounted trahie-directing panels which have different directions rinted thereon. Some of these other pane s may bear the word Stop; othersl may bear the word Go, and these other panels are movably mounted so that` the different directions thereon can be brought into position. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there are two sets of these movable panels. One set is situated at a distance from the 1o ground equal to about the height of an ordinary person, and another set is situated much higher and arranged to be read over the tops of passing vehicles. There are four of the latter traffic-directing panels and they are indicated at 8 and 9. rlFhe two panels 8 each bear a legend or word, such as Stop, directing traiiic movement to cease, while theother panels9 bear a legend or word such as Go directing traflic movement to proceed. These panels are arranged so as to face in four different directions, as usual in traiic signs, the two panels 8 being situated opposite each other and facing in opposite directions, the panels 9 being also situated opposite each other and facing in opposite directions. These panels 8 and 9 are mounted on a supporting member 10 which is of sufiicient length so that the panels 8 and 9 are situated above the passing vehicles. llhe supporting member l0 may be sustained in various Ways. l' have herein shown the lower end thereof as setting into the tubular connecting member 6. Said member 10 has a collar 11 thereon which engages the nut 7 and sustains the supporting member in its proper position. The'support 10 is capable of turning movement through 90 so that the positions of the panels 8 and 9 can be interchanged. rthis e0 is herein provided for by a handle 12 which is secured to the lower end of the supporting standard 10 and extends through a slot 60 in the tube 6. rthe handle is shownas pivoted to a lug 61 extending from the member 10 so that said handle will normally hang in a vertical position shown in Fig. 3, but by turning the handle into a horizontal position, as shown by full lines, Fig. 3, and then swinging the handle horizontally, the standard 10 and the panels will be given a quarter revolution, thus reversing the commands given in each direction by the signal.

lf it is desirable or necessary to leave the signal unattended, then it is' necessary to change the panels 3 and 9 so that they will not give the directions'to Stop and Go. i To provide for this, l have pivotally mounted the panels on the support 10 to turn tt about horizontal axes so that said panels mav be swung into horizontal planes, thus carrying the Stop and Go indications out of sight. rllhe support 10 is shown as lprovided with arms 13 to which the panels 6e 3 and 9 are pivoted at 1t. Each panel has Laagste pivotally connected to the upper edge thereof a strut member l5 which in turn is pivoted to a runner 150slidably mounted on the supporting standard 10. The standard 10 is preferably made tubular and situated 7o therewithin is an actuating member 17 which is connected to the runner 150 through a slot 18 formed in the tube 10. The lower end of this actuator is provided with a laterallyextending arm v19 which projects through a 75 slot 20 formed in the tubular member 10, said slot and arm being situated ata distance from the ground at which it can be conveniently-operated. By moving the arm 19 downwardly in' the slot 20, the runner 8o 150 will be drawn down on the tubular member 10 and the panels 8 and 9`wil1 be turned about their axes into horizontal planes. Whenin this position, the words Stop and LGro thereon will be on the upper side of the panels and cannot, therefore, be seen,

-so that said panels become inoperative so far as giving directions is concerned? lt have provided herein means for locking the panels 8 and 9 either in their oper- 90 ative or in their inoperative position, this being done by locking the actuator 17 either in its elevated or lowered position. The arm 19 is shown as having a U-shaped locking member 21 pivoted thereto, and this 95 locking member is adapted to be swung over a keeper 22 when the actuator 17 is raised, or over another keeper 23 when the actuator 17 is lowered. The locking member 21 may be locked to either of the keepers 22 loo or 23 byl means of a padlock 24 or any other suitable device. v

In addition to the panels 8 and 9, l have illustrated herein other traffic-directing panels 25 and 26, there being'two'oppositely-diswe posed panels 2,5, each having the word Stop thereon. and two oppositely-disposed panels 26, each having the word Gro thereon. These panels 25 and 26 are situated just above the fixed panels 4 and are carried by the sup- 11u port 10 so as to turn therewith. When, therefore, the upper panels 8 and 9 are in their operative position, there will be'two sets of panels displayed, one at about the height of an ordinary person and the other at a 1.15 suicient altitude to be visible over the tops of vehicles. The panels 25 and 26 are preferably reversible panels, said panels having on one side the Words Stop and (Sro, as above described, and on the other side, some 12u general directions applicable to all traliio conditions, such, for instance, as Go to the right. rllhese panels 25 and 26 are also preferably pivotally sustained so that they can be reversed, thus making it possible to'125 cause them to exhibit either the Stop and Go directions or the Gro to the right directions. While any suitable way of supporting these panels 25 and 26 might be adopted, lt have herein shown each panel as tu@ Aio a vertical supporting Lampes provided with two trunnions v27-and '28 which are journaled in bearings 29 formed 0n brackets 30 secured to the standard 10. These trunnions extend vertically sothat the panels 25 and 26 are adapted to turn about vertical axes. The lower trunnion 27 of each panel has a pinion 31 rigid therewith and the pinions 31 all mesh with an actuating gear 32 mounted to turn on the standard yl() and provided with a handle 33 by which it may be actuated. The panels 25 and 26'are of such a size that when they are in their operative'po-sition, the edge of one panel stands closely adjacent to or meets the edge of the adjacent panel, as seen in Fig. 5. The gearing 31, 32 is such that a partial turn of the driving gear 32 will give.

the gears 31 a half rotation, thus reversing the position of the panels. l

So long as a trailic oiticer lis in attendance at the sign for operating it, the panels 25 and 26 may be ositioned so as to exhibitthe Stop and o? legends. If, however, it

.is desired to leave the trailic signal unattended, then it is important that the legends thereon should be of a general character, such as Go to the right. When'this condition 'is desired, the operator will actuate the gear 32 so as to reverse the position of the panels 25 and 26 and he will also operate y the actuator 17 to swing the upper panelsy 8 and 9 into their horizontal positions, as above described. The signal when thus adjusted gives general directions and may be left unattended at intersecting streets or any other place where the services of a silent policeman will be advantageous.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown.

I claim:

1. In a trafiic si the combination with standard capable of turnin about a vertical axis, of a plurality of tra ic-dirccting panels, each pivotally mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, means to turn the standard about its axis to cause each panel to face in either one of two directions, and means operative in any position of the'standard to turn said panels so as to present their traffic-directing faces either in a vertical plane where they are exposed to view, or in a horizontal plane.

V2. In a traffic sign, the combination with a supporting standard, of a plurality of traffic-directing panels, each pivotally mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, said panels being arranged to face in.

bearing faces into or out of a position in which they can be seen.

3.4 In a traic sign, the combination with a supporting standard having a plurality of arms at its upper end, of a plurality of trahie-directing panels each journaled at its ends in two of the arms to turn about a horizontal axis, and means to turn said panels so as to present their traffic-directing faces either in a. vertical plane where they are exposed to view or in a horizontal plane.

4. In a tralic sign, the combination with. a supporting standard, of a plurality of trahie-directing panels surrounding the standard and pivotally mounted thereon to turn about vertical axes, and means to turn said panels simultaneously to reverse the position of'each panel.

5. In a traiic sign, the combination with ya supporting standard, of two pairs of opthe standard to turn about a vertical axis,

and means common to all the panels by which the position` of all of them can be reversed simultaneously.

6. In a traic sign, the combination with a supporting standard, of two pairs of trailic-directing panels, the panels of each pairbeing. parallel to each other and those of one pair being situated at right angles to those of the other pair, each panel having a trafic-directing legend on each side thereof, means supporting each panel on the standard for turning movement about a vertical axis, and means common to all the panels by which the position of all of them can be reversed simultaneously.

7. In a tratlic sign, the combination with a base provided at its upper edge with a head provided with panel-receiving grooves, of a plurality of trafIic-directing panels occupy'ing said grooves, said panels having a relatively long vertical dimension and relatively-short transverse dimension, an upper head engaging the upper ends of the panels, a. tubular connecting rod for drawing the two heads toward each other and clamping the panels securely between them, a supporting standard, set into the tubular connecting rod, vtralic-directing panels carried by the standard, and means for turning the standard in said connecting rod thus to present the panels thereon in different directions.

8. In a traffic sign, the combination with a base provided at its upper edge with a head having panel-receiving grooves, of a loo heads toward each other and clamping the panels securely between them, a supporting standard,.and other traic-directing panels pivotally mounted thereon above the trst 'named tratlic-directing panels.

9. In a traffic sign, the combination with a base provided at its upper edge with a head having a plurality of radially-extending panel-receiving grooves, of a plurality of tralic-directing panels having their lower ends occupying said grooves, each panel havving a relatively long vertical dimension and a relatively short transverse dimension and said panels being situated so that their inner edges are spaced from the axial line of the base, an upper head. engaging the upper ends of said panels, and a connecting member for drawing the two heads toward each other and clamping the panels securely between them, said connecting member being situated axially of the'heads and in the space between the inner edges of the panels.

10. In a traiic sign, the combination with a base provided at its upper edge with a head having a plurality of radially-extending panel-receiving grooves, of a connecting member rising from said head and situated axially thereof, a plurality of radially-extending traffic-directing panels situated outside ot said connecting member and hav;

aasasaa ing their lower ends occupying the ooves of said head, each panel having a re atively long vertical dimension and a relatively short transverse dimensiom an upper head engaging the upper ends of said panels, and means coperating with the connectin member for clamping the upp'er head agamst the panels.

11. .In a trac sign, the combination with a base provided at its upper edge with a head having panel-receiving grooves, of a plurality of trafic-directing panels occupylng said grooves, each panel having a relatively longvertical dimension and a relatively short transverse dimension, an upper head engaging the upper` ends of said panels, a connecting member for drawing the two heads toward each other and clamping the panel securely between them, a supporting standard, other tratlic-directing panels pivotally mounted thereon above the lirstnamed tramo-directing panels, said @supporting standard being capable of turning movement to cause. each tratlic-directing panel thereon to face in either one of two directions, and means to turn the pivotallymounted panels about their axes.

ln testlmony whereof, l have signed my name to this specication.

HARVEY C. S'lllRU'll". 

